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The best organic dog foods listed below must meet strict guidelines established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Unfortunately…
Due to the tightly regulated way in which they’re produced, organic recpipes tend to be hard to find in stores.
In general…
Organic dog foods can be grouped into 2 categories…
- Certified organic
- Partially organic
By law…
Certified organic dog foods must contain at least 95% organic ingredients. They’re easy to spot… because they’re the only recipes permitted to display the official “USDA Organic” seal on their packaging.
Certified organic foods are rare.
Truth is…
Most organic dog foods sold in the U.S. are partially organic… which means they contain varying amounts of organic ingredients… specified on the label.
On this page…
We’ll share our most recommended organic dog food brands… and we’ll answer the 5 most frequently asked questions we get about organic dog food.
Best Organic Dog Foods October 2024
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1. Tender and True (Dry)
Tender and True Chicken and Liver Recipe is one of eight dry recipes included in our review of the Tender and True dry product line.
Tender and True Chicken and Liver derives the vast majority of its animal protein from both chicken meal and fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 18% fat and 45% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.
Tender and True is USDA certified organic… which makes each recipe a rare find for discerning dog owners.
Read our review of the full Tender and True Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Organic chicken, organic chicken meal, organic dried peas, organic chickpeas, organic Âflaxseed meal Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 29% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog had eczema and allergies. Since switching to the pesticide free dog food, chicken and liver flavor, her eczema is gone. I highly recommend going organic. I really like that the chickens were humanely raised as well."
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2. Gather Free Acres
Gather Free Acres is one of two dry recipes included in our review of the Gather product line.
Gather Free Acres gets the lion’s share of its meat protein from fresh chicken and dehydrated chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 17% fat and 42% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
In addition to Gather’s certified organic ingredients, each recipe also contains a balanced blend of healthy omega 3 and omega 6 fats. A top choice.
Read our review of the full Gather Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Organic chicken, organic dehydrated chicken, organic peas, lentils, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 33% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog Daisy has a sensitive stomach and has been having all sorts of problems due to her food that she didn’t even like. I switched her to this food and she has made a 180 turn around for the better. I’m very happy with this product."
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3. Honest Kitchen Dehydrated
Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe is one of eight dehydrated recipes included in our review of the Honest Kitchen product line.
This Whole Grain Chicken formulation derives the bulk of its meat protein from dehydrated chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 15% fat and 50% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
In addition to its multiple organic ingredients, each recipe is processed in a human grade food processing facility.
And each component is non genetically modified (non-GMO) and free of any chemicals or preservatives. All meat ingredients are hormone and antibiotic free, too.
Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen Grain Inclusive Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here
Main Ingredients Dehydrated chicken, organic barley, dehydrated potatoes, organic flaxseed, organic oats Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusiv Protein Percentage 27% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My German Shepherd is a fussy eater, with his fair share of allergies. I’ve tried all different brands and this one makes my Shermy happy. It’s a great price, easy meal prep and super filling for him. This is the first brand of food I don’t have to add anything or convince him to eat what I put down for him. I think I finally found a food we will be sticking with!"
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4. Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Dinners
Stella and Chewy’s Venison Blend is one of 13 raw recipes included in our review of the Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinner product line.Venison, lamb, lamb liver, venison liver, venison lung
This Venison Blend recipe derives the largest share of its animal protein from both venison and lamb. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 44.2% protein, 31.6% fat and 16.2% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 71%.
Stella and Chewy’s promises all its frozen and freeze-dried raw recipes include vitamins and minerals sourced from 100% certified organic fruits and vegetables.
A top-rated, freeze-dried dog food for those not requiring organic meat. Recommended with confidence.
Main Ingredients Venison, lamb, lamb liver, venison liver, venison lung Texture Raw Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 47% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My pretty pittie is allergic to everything, beef, chicken, lamb, tomato (which is in most dog food) grain, etc. It was also recommended that we go with raw food. We have tried many brands of venison, duck, bison and wild boar. This by far is her favorite food. It is easy to store because most of the other brands were frozen. We feed her 2 1/2 "pucks" broken up and mixed with grain free dry food 2x a day. We typically add water to the pucks but she also enjoys them dry right out of the bag."
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5. Carna4
Carna4 Chicken is one of six dry recipes included in our review of the Carna4 product line.
This Carna4 formula derives most of its animal protein from both fresh chicken and chicken liver. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 17% fat and 43% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
Features a number of plant-based, organic ingredients. A quality formulation worthy of consideration.
Read our review of the full Carna4 Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Fresh chicken, chicken liver, eggs, organic sprouted barley seed, wild salmon Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 32% Sample buyer review...
"You will notice the difference in your dog within a few days of switching them to this dry kibble. All of our dogs (2 Seniors, 1 Adult and 3 Puppies) all love the food. They are happier, healthier looking and acting (shiny eyes, shiny coat, more energy, no tummy troubles ie. vomiting/diarreah no itching skin or scratching)."
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6. Tender and True (Wet)
Organic Chicken and Liver Recipe is one of five wet products included in our review of the Tender and True Canned product line.
This Tender and True organic formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh chicken. Based on dry matter, this recipe contains 39% protein, 23% fat and 31% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.
A smooth, finely-chopped pate consistency. It’s 100% complete and balanced nutrition with added vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients.
Fully organic. Contains no grain, GMOs, corn, wheat, or soy. Also free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. A quality wet diet. Recommended with confidence.
Read our review of the full Tender and True Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Organic chicken, organic chicken broth, organic chicken liver, organic pea flour, organic sunflower oil Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 39% Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog is the pickiest dog i have ever had, never wanted to eat anything, always turning his nose up at everything I put him in front of him. Someone suggested Tender and True and it has been a complete turnaround, he cant wait to eat. Cleans the bowl as if her were starving. I highly recommend this product."
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is organic dog food?
Organic dog food is made from ingredients grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or ionizing radiation.
Animals used to produce meat, poultry, eggs, or dairy products must not have been fed antibiotics or growth hormones.
What are the 3 types of organic dog food?
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognizes 3 categories of organic products:
- 100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients
- Organic: Made with at least 95% organic ingredients
- Made with Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% (including no GMOs)
Dog foods containing less than 70% organic ingredients may list these items on the side panel… but they may not make organic claims on the front of the package.
How much more does organic dog food cost?
Based on a 2019 study conducted by The Dog Food Advisor…
The average organic dog food is priced about 23% higher than a comparable size package of regular dog food.
But…
This highly specialized category of dog foods can sometimes be found selling for as much as 40% more than their conventional counterparts.
That’s because…
- Organic farmers don’t receive federal subsidies as some conventional farmers
- Organic farming is more costly than regular farming
- Organic farms are typically smaller… so they’re not able to benefit from the economies of scale enjoyed by larger growers
Is organic dog food better than regular dog food?
That depends on what’s important to you.
Truth is…
Based on 3 large studies, the nutrient differences between regular and organic dog foods appear to be only minimal.1
However, according to USDA data…
Organic foods do tend to contain fewer pesticide residues than conventionally grown produce.2
Which could be an important advantage to demanding dog owners.
What ingredients should I avoid when buying dog food?
Here are some of the most controversial ingredients found in many popular dog foods… and the health danger to which each may be linked:
| Ingredient | Type | Linked To |
|---|---|---|
| BHA | Preservative | Cancer |
| BHT | Preservative | Cancer |
| TBHQ | Preservative | Cancer |
| Ethoxyquin | Preservative | Liver pigmentation |
| Menadione | Synthetic vitamin | Hemolytic anemia |
| Artificial dyes | Colorant | Cancer |
| Propylene glycol | Moisturizer | Heinz body anemia |
| Generic “meat” | Unknown source | Food allergies |
To be sure you never unknowingly feed YOUR dog a food that contains any of these high-risk ingredients… be sure to favor recipes rated 4 stars or higher by The Dog Food Advisor.
Final word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
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